Category: Tours

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Halcyon Drive Release Incredible New Single Ahead of EP Tour

Proving that they’re one of the most consistent acts on the local landscape these days, Halcyon Drive have released another killer track, their latest single “Books for the Holidays.” It’s the latest track lifted from the band’s forthcoming EP Untethered, which is released on May 13.

“The song is about being frustrated with the state of loneliness. Part longing over unrequited feelings, part despair, part wonderment at the beauty that surrounds us everyday- this is definitely the most heartfelt tune on the EP,” Halcyon Drive’s frontman Michael Oechsle says.

I can certainly feel that frustration coming through in the heartfelt vocals and lush instrumentation, which moves from delicate and sparse to anthemic with ease.

Halcyon Drive have been touring the country virtually non-stop for the last 12 months, but they’re not done yet. Rather than resting, the band’s about to embark on its most extensive run of gigs to date. Here are all the places you can catch Halcyon Drive on their EP tour.

9 June 2016 – Rad Bar, Wollongong
10 June 2016 – The Stag & Hunter, Newcastle (FREE)
11 June 2016 – Transit Bar, Canberra
12 June 2016 – Botany View Hotel, Sydney (FREE)
16 June 2016 – Workers Club, Geelong
17 June 2016 – Saloon Bar, Traralgon
18 June 2016 – Shadow Electric, Melbourne
1 July 2016 – Cats, Adelaide
8 July 2016 – Solbar, Sunshine Coast
9 July 2016 – Trainspotters, Brisbane
10 July 2016 – Sounds of Sunday, Gold Coast (FREE)

Image used with permission from Rare Finds

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Paper Kites Touring Australia & North America

Local alt-folk act The Paper Kites have just released the final video in their “midnight” trilogy for the new single “Renegade.”

Again, the clip depicts the happenings of people between 12 and 4 am, a reference to the band’s stellar 2015 album TwelveFour. This time around it follows a group of kids who break into an aquatic cinema in the wee small hours of the morning.

To celebrate the conclusion of the midnight trilogy, The Paper Kites will play some intimate shows in capital cities across Australia. They’re in fine form after playing shows across Europe in January and February. After that it’s off to Canada and the United States for more shows. Whether you’re here or stateside, make sure you don’t miss one of these gigs.

23 June 2016 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (ALL AGES)
24 June 2016 – Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne (ALL AGES)
25 June 2016 – The Tivoli, Brisbane (Under 18s permitted with parent/guardian)
1 July 2016 – Astor Theatre, Perth (Under 18s permitted with parent/guardian)
2 July 2016 – Norwood Town Hall, Adelaide (ALL AGES)
9 & 10 July 2016 – Winnipeg Folk Festival, Winnipeg
11 July 2016 – Triple Rock, Minneapolis
12 July 2016 – Shank Hall, Milwaukee
13 July 2016 – The Shelter, Detroit
14 July 2016 – Rum Runners, London
16 July 2016 – Ottawa Blues, Ottawa
17 July 2016 – Parc de la Francophonie @ Festival D’ete, Quebec City
19 July 2016 – Showcase Room @ Higher Ground, Burlington
20 July 2016 – The Studio at Waiting Room, Buffalo
21 July 2016 – Club Café, Pittsburgh
22 July 2016 –  Bogart’s, Cincinnati
23 July 2016 – Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland
24 July 2016 – Wayhome Music Festival, Oro-Medonte
27 July 2016 –  StageOne, Fairfield
28 July 2016 – Cape Cinema, Dennis
29 July 2016 – Port City Musical Hall, Portland
31 July 2016 – Osheaga, Montreal

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jazz in the Vines Announces Line-Up for Final Festival

I still can’t quite believe that this year the Hunter Valley will host its last ever Jazz in the Vines. My favourite music festival is going out with a bang though, with arguably its best line-up. Announced today, James Morrison, Leo Sayer, Mental as Anything, John Morrison’s Swing City Big Band, Monica Trapaga, Emma Pask, and Lisa Hunt are all on the bill. And that’s just for starters!
Add some amazing wine from Tyrell’s, fantastic food from some of the Hunter’s best restaurants, and good vibes into the mix and you’ve got a recipe for a superb day out.

Jazz in the Vines hits Tyrell’s Winery in the Hunter Valley on October 29. Tickets are on sale now and are bound to sell out, so get yours via the Jazz in the Vines website today.

Image source: own photo

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jesse Redwing Brings Back Blues

After cutting his eye teeth in Sydney jazz and blues clubs for the last three years, Jesse Redwing is preparing to unleash his music on the rest of Australia. The new single “Crawlin’ Up the Walls” gives you a taster of what you can expect on the EP he’s currently working on. This is old school blues, dirty and honest, with a modern swagger.

If you like what you hear, catch Jesse Redwing playing Yah Yah’s in Melbourne on 22 April or in Sydney at the Brighton Up Bar on 24 April.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Hiding Provides Your Sunday Soundtrack

Lazy Sundays are ideal for listening to the laidback groove of a tune like “Karma My Life,” the new single from Melbourne band The Hiding.

I just love this song’s carefree, roadtrippy vibe. It makes sense that it reminds me of travel, because the folky percussive guitar sound was influenced by the acoustic performances the lads saw in Central Park whilst living in New York.

The lyrics are also full of positivity and wisdom.

“Life can throw so many speed bumps and The Hiding has experienced its fair share of these,” explained lyricist and guitarist Anthony Salce in the press release. “It can be deflating and soul damaging, however, these are life lessons we all experience and Karma my life is about accepting these journeys, appreciating the turning point and celebrating the ‘positive experience’ that changed your life.”

And can I just take a moment to talk about the mesmerising music video? It features the work of renowned sand artist Fatmir Mura. “As Karma My Life is an honest and emotive piece, we wanted the video to represent the changing nature of the band and the need to adapt to your surroundings, which Fatmir delivers very well in his sand art,” Anthony explained. I couldn’t take my eyes off this video. It’s truly stunning.

If you’re digging what The Hiding do too, and you live in their home state, you can catch them at the following upcoming shows. Hopefully they won’t leave the rest of Australia waiting too long to see them!

29 April 2016 – Rifle Brigade Hotel, Bendigo
6 May 2016 – Mynt Lounge, Werribee
21 May 2016 – Revolver, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tully on Tully Touring “Miles Away”

This might be the rantings of a child of the ‘80s looking back at the decade she was born with rose-coloured glasses, but I’m convinced the women of the music world we looked up to were so much cooler than young ladies that serve as musical role models today. We had Pat Benatar, the Wilson sisters of Heart, the Bangles … I was almost feeling like they’d broken the mould until I heard “Miles Away,” the title track of Tully on Tully’s EP.

It seems I’m not the only one digging this 80s-inspired power pop anthem. Rage recently chose the video as its indie clip of the week.

Tully on Tully are currently on tour to support the Miles Away EP’s recent release. You can still catch them at the following venues.

15 April 2016 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
16 April 2016 – Workers Club, Melbourne
22 April 2016 – Mynt Lounge, Werribee
26 May 2016 – Bar On The Hill @ University of Newcastle, Newcastle (lunchtime gig)
26 May 2016 – Gallery Bar @ Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
28 May 2016 – Transit Bar, Canberra

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

RÜFÜS Album Tour Approaching

We’re only four months in, but already 2016 is shaping up to a be a big year for RÜFÜS. Bloom topped the ARIA charts in January, kicking Adele off her perch, the singles “You Were Right” and “Like an Animal” were both in the top third of the triple j Hottest 100, and they’ve been selling out shows across Europe, the UK, and North America.

But it’s all been building to this, the start of their national Bloom tour.

“When we approach the live show I think a really exciting thing for us is to re-imagine the songs and try to bring a new dimension and new journey to our music. A big part of what we do whether it be writing a record or performing it live, is that sense of progression and that sense of tension and release,” drummer James Hunt explained. “We’ve been absorbing so much live music lately so there are a million little things we want to try.”

Some shows are sold out, but if you’re quick you should be able to get yourself to one of these gigs.

29 April 2016 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
30 April 2016 – Red Hill Auditorium, Perth
4 May 2016 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney
5 May 2016 – Hordern Pavilion, Sydney (SOLD OUT)
6 May 2016 – Festival Hall, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
7 May 2016 – Odeon Theatre, Hobart (SOLD OUT)
12 May 2016 – Festival Hall, Melbourne
14 May 2016 – River Stage, Brisbane

Image used with permission from On the Map PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Selahphonic Release Killer Track “Ghosts of 1999”

Hump Days are never easy, but when you’re battling a cold as I am pushing through a work day is that much harder. If you’re struggling today, take a moment to press play and let the feel-good power-pop vibes of “Ghosts of 1999.”

The track comes from Sunshine Coast indie-rock act Selahphonic, who’ve spend the better part of 2015 touring Australia and the United States. All that experience is paying off, because they’re sounding like they’ve got years of experience under their belt. It’s polished without feeling bland. At this relatively early stage in their career I can already imagine them selling out stadiums.

See Selahphonic before they blow up at the following single launch shows.

15 April 2016 – The Foundry, Brisbane
30 April 2016 – Moonshine, Manly
6 May 2016 – The Helm, Sunshine Coast
11 June 2016 – Sea N’ Sound Festival, Mooloolaba

Image used with permission from Rare Finds

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sarah Blasko Touring “Eternal Return”

With Sarah Blasko’s tour just around the corner, it’s worth taking at a look at the most recent single from her sixth studio album Eternal Return.

“I Wanna Be Your Man” is one of the most accessible songs Sarah’s released in some time, and I think it’s also one of her best. As a woman working in the music industry, Sarah probably knows what it feels to be marginalised because of your gender better than most. However, you don’t need to be in a male-dominated field for the lyrics to resonate. Perhaps there’s even something in this song for the lads too.

Sarah Blasko kicks off her Eternal Return tour on April 6. Here are all the Aussie and international dates. Tickets are still available for selected shows.

6 April 2016 – The Abbey, Canberra
7 April 2016 – Anita’s Theatre, Wollongong
8 April 2016 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
9 April 2016 – City Hall, Newcastle
15 April 2016 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
22 April 2016 – Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo
23 April 2016 – The Forum, Melbourne
29 April 2016 – Norwood Concert Hall, Adelaide
30 April 2016 – Astor Theatre, Perth
10 May 2016 – Union Chapel, London
12 May 2016 – Ruby Lounge, Manchester
16 May 2016 – Hope & Ruin, Brighton
17 May 2016 – Thekla, Bristol
19 May 2016 – Les Etoiles, Paris
21 May 2016 – Les Nuits @ Botanique, Brussels
23 May 2016 – People’s Play, Amsterdam
24 May 2016 – Grand Theatre, Groningen
26 May 2016 – Nochtspeicher, Hamburg
27 May 2016 – Stadtgarten, Cologne
28 May 2016 – Zoom, Frankfurt
30 May 2016 – Kranhalle, Munich
31 May 2016 – Privatclub, Berlin

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Abraham Ready for Album Tour

“Speak” was the song that first introduced me to the beautiful music of Ben Abraham, so I’m thrilled to hear it’s got an official release. It seems I’m not the only one in love with this delicate folk track, because Ben says it’s also his favourite song from his debut album Sirens.

“The story of a writer wrestling with his muse felt like a more mature subject matter than some of the earlier work I had done,” he explained. “It’s also the perfect showcase of Jono [Steer] and Leigh [Fisher]’s production. I asked Wally De Backer [Gotye] to help me record the vocals on this particular song because I knew he would help me find the best way to tell the story through my performance. I’m really proud of the work we all did.”

With Sirens now in stores and a brand new single release, it’s the perfect time for Ben to hit the road and take his music to the people. You can catch him at the following venues over the coming weeks.

16 March 2016 – Fremantle Arts Centre, Perth (with Calexico)
17 March 2016 – Grace Emily, Adelaide
20 March 2016 – Howler, Melbourne
2 April 2016 – Junk Bar, Brisbane (matinee @ 3:30 pm; night show @ 7:30 pm)
3 April 2016 – Vanguard, Sydney

Image used with permission from Inertia Music